Program Summary

Volunteer in Jamaica, birthplace of the fastest man on the planet, on a sports coaching project with Jamaica Volunteer Expeditions. Help the organization shape future world champions, such as Usain Bolt or Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Volunteer placements are based in schools, sporting clubs, and community centers. Volunteer sports coaches will be under the guidance and support of local physical education instructors and coaches to develop the skills and athletic gifts of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them gain confidence through sports, as well as understanding the importance of working in a team.

Volunteers can help coach sports such as football (soccer), track and field, cricket, or netball, or just be involved in general sporting activities. New ideas and sporting suggestions are welcome.

Program Highlights

1. Travel to Jamaica and volunteer in a sports coaching project.

2. Find your true passion in sports, teaching, or community service, and grow experientially with ...

Program Summary

Volunteer in Jamaica, birthplace of the fastest man on the planet, on a sports coaching project with Jamaica Volunteer Expeditions. Help the organization shape future world champions, such as Usain Bolt or Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Volunteer placements are based in schools, sporting clubs, and community centers. Volunteer sports coaches will be under the guidance and support of local physical education instructors and coaches to develop the skills and athletic gifts of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them gain confidence through sports, as well as understanding the importance of working in a team.

Volunteers can help coach sports such as football (soccer), track and field, cricket, or netball, or just be involved in general sporting activities. New ideas and sporting suggestions are welcome.

Program Highlights

1. Travel to Jamaica and volunteer in a sports coaching project.

2. Find your true passion in sports, teaching, or community service, and grow experientially with self-awareness.

3. Embark on an opportunity to both have fun and make a positive impact for generations to come.

4. Obtain international volunteering experience in the fields of Sports, and Youth and Community Development.

5. Live and volunteer in different cities in Jamaica for about 2-12 weeks.

Volunteering in Jamaica has been the most amazing experience and I will never forget it! The evening I arrived in Jamaica I was jet lagged and nervous, but after speaking to the other volunteers and Marlon, the son of the family who own the guest house, those nerves soon went.

The first week I was in Jamaica I was volunteering at an orphanage in Havendale. The girls were all lovely there, just craving attention. I read them stories, helped them with their homework, played games outside with them and one day we made birthday cards for the lady who ran the orphanage. There was also an 8month old baby boy, I loved teaching him how to walk, he was very sweet. By the time I was leaving he was trying to say my name, which was just brilliant. Also in the first week I went to Manning's Hill pre school twice, all the children there were lovely too, it was a great experience being able to help them with their words and letters. The aunties and the teachers at both the orphanage and the school were very helpful and grateful for me being there.

For the remaining 3 weeks I was at Shortwood Practicing school, this was for children aged 3-15. I was volunteering with the pe department by helping to teach the kids sports. On the first day I taught a class of 5year olds track and field sports. It was great and the kids were all really helpful and pleasant. On the second day it was parents day, so I was sitting next to one of the pe teachers as he did his one-to-one parent teacher consultations. This was a very eye opening experience and I learnt a lot about the background of some of the kids. During my time I was also asked by one of the senior management team to go up on stage during their devotion in the morning, and tell the children about me. I also donated some footballs and netballs to the pe department as they didn't have any! They were desperately needed for the kids to learn new skills for competitions. The pe teachers and the rest of the staff at the school were very kind and willing to help me with anything I needed. They also didn't push me into anything I didn't want to do, it was always what I felt comfortable with.
Staying in Smokey Manor Guest House was brilliant, the Evans family were great with everything, you knew they'd be there to help if you needed them, The housekeeper and cook Louise is a legend! Everyday cooking authentic Jamaican dishes which were so tasty! But always with a smile on her face.
The day trips I went on were also great, I learnt a lot about coffee in the Blue Mountains and relaxed at Hellshire Beach.

Overall this volunteer experience has been life changing, it couldn't have been any better. I learnt so much, I think I made a difference to the lives of some of the children, plus I has great fun, had loads of new experiences and made some friends for life. I will definitely be coming back to Jamaica soon, as I've fallen in love with the island, the culture, the music and how kind the people are. I don't think I've ever been as relaxed in my entire life, I'm even staying an extra week with someone I've met since being here.